Pathway to the Bench: Navigating Jharkhand’s Judicial Service Exam

Introduction

The judiciary plays a central role in the enforcement of the rule of law and administration of justice. In Jharkhand, the Judicial Service Examination is the doorway to joining the noble group of the state judiciary by future legal administrators. This book tries to help the candidate know about the process of the examination, eligibility, and right ways of preparation for joining the doorway of becoming a Civil Judge (Junior Division) in Jharkhand.

1. Everything about Jharkhand Judicial Service Examination

The Jharkhand Judicial Service Examination is conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) to recruit Civil Judges (Junior Division). The examination process is segregated into three distinct stages:

    • Preliminary Examination: Screening test of objective type.
    • Main Examination: Written descriptive test.
    • Interview (Viva Voce): Oral interview to evaluate the suitability of the candidate for the judicial position.​

    Each stage has been designed to test various skills which are necessitated by a judicial officer such as legal know-how, analysis skills, and communication skills.

    2. Eligibility Criteria

    The candidates need to ensure they possess the below-mentioned eligibility criteria prior to sitting for the examination:

      Educational Qualification

      • A Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B) from the Bar Council of India recognized university.

      Age Limit

      • The candidates should be between 22 and 35 years of age
      • Relaxation of age is granted to reserved categories according to government rules.

      Other Requirements

      • Candidates must be Indian nationals.
      • Hindi is mandatory.
      • Good character and good health are required.

      3. Pattern of the Examination and Syllabus

      Preliminary Examination
      Pattern: Objective type of questions.

        • Duration: 2 hours.
        • Total Marks: 100.
        • Topics Covered:
        • General English.
        • General Knowledge (recent events).
        • The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
        • The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
        • The Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
        • The Law of Contract, 1872.
        • The Indian Penal Code, 1860.​

        Note: Preliminary examination is a qualifying test and marks for this are not considered for the final merit list.

        Main Examination

        Pathway to the Bench Navigating Jharkhand's Judicial Service Exam
        • Pattern: Descriptive written papers.
        • Number of Papers: Four.
        • Each Paper: 100 marks.
        • Time: 3 hours per paper.
        • Subjects:

        Paper I:

        • Procedural Law (The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973).
        • The Indian Penal Code, 1860.
        • The Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
        • The Limitation Act, 1963.

        Paper II:

        • The Law of Contracts, 1872.
        • The Specific Relief Act, 1963.
        • The Sale of Goods Act, 1930.
        • The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

        Paper III:

        • Hindu Law.
        • Mohammedan Law.
        • Jurisprudence.
        • Rent Control Law.

        Paper IV:

        • English Language: Essay, Precis Writing, Translation.
        • Hindi Language: Essay, Precis Writing, Translation.

        Interview (Viva Voce)

        • Total Marks: 100.
        • Purpose: To evaluate the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and overall fitness for the judicial position.​

        4. Application Process

        Applicants can submit the Jharkhand Judicial Service Examination application on the JPSC website. The procedure is generally as follows:

          • Registration: Registration on the JPSC website.
          • Filling the Application Form: Filling personal, educational, and professional information.
          • Uploading Documents: Uploading scanned copies of the required documents, i.e., educational certificates, age proof, and category certificates (if applicable).
          • Payment of Application Fee: Payment of the application fee through online mode.
          • Submission: Submission and verification of the application form.

          Note: There has to be careful observance of the deadlines and instructions in the notification.​

          5. Strategies for Preparation

          Understanding the Syllabus and Pattern of the Exam
          Clear comprehension of the syllabus and pattern of the exam is the key to proper preparation. The candidates have to:
          Be familiar with the question papers of the last few years in order to make an estimate of the key topics.
          Develop a time-table dividing time to a subject according to its weightage.
          judicialcompetitiontimes.in

            Study Material and Sources

            • Bare Acts: Bare acts reading is a must.
            • Standard Textbooks: Follow guide books for descriptive information.
            • Online Resources: Use online website for mock test and current affairs.

            Regular Practice and Revision

            • Do practice questions and mock tests regularly to know your preparation level.
            • Visit a subject on regular basis to get strong in your concept.​

            Time Management

            • Divide time duration for every subject.
            • Adopt a balanced approach in order to read all the subjects well.​

            Interview Preparation

            • Be conversant with communication skills and keep yourself abreast of recent legal developments.
            • Practice mock interviews to become confident.​

            6. Career Advancement

            On appointment being successful, candidates are appointed as Civil Judges (Junior Division). With time and further tests, they can go up the judicial hierarchy:

              • Senior Civil Judge.
              • District Judge.
              • High Court Judge.
              • Chief Justice.

              Adequate continuous learning and performance can result in high-profile jobs as judiciary officers.

              Conclusion

              Becoming a Jharkhand judicial officer is no easy journey but worthwhile. With definite knowledge regarding the process of examination, regular preparation, and tireless hard work, prospective applicants can achieve their destination of imparting justice and upholding the law.

              Leave a Comment